Masked Palestinian militants from Hamas are seen during a press conference in Gaza City, Tuesday, April 24, 2007. Hamas militants fired a barrage of rockets and mortar shells toward Israel on Tuesday... (Associated Press)

(Newser)
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Hamas launched dozens of rockets and mortar shells at Israel this morning, ending a five-month cease fire. The blasts rocked the country as it celebrated its 59th Independence Day. The Hamas-led government blames Israel for the breakdown, citing the deaths of nine Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank killed in weekend fighting with Israeli troops.

"It's not a Palestinian problem, it is an Israeli problem," Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said after Hamas's militant wing claimed responsibility for the attacks. Meanwhile, the Israeli press is reporting that the rocket-fire was intended to distract the army from a failed plot to kidnap Israeli soldiers at the Gaza border.